Huge thanks guys! The Swell is quite the uncivilized adventure zone, raw and roughed. Using the drone to have a look around from outside the Swell was a big asset, not as illustrative as you might think looking at a 720p picture on a phone screen but it does help paint the big picture of the terrain to be explored. . . or not. Obviously, it did not quite keep us from "going the wrong way," on a couple of occasions. Internet reports of the area were vague as well. . .
I am so pleased to be able to bring you all with us and share our amazing and somewhat intimidating experiences. That is the goal for my YouTube channel, as always, your support is greatly appreciated. I just got home from Las Vegas doing some climbs in Red Rock Canyon, one with a local expert. He took me on a complex and technical traverse of the largest mountain in the park, Mt. Wilson and it was loaded the thrilling climbing sections! It felt comfortable with Chris Gorney, there to guide me. . .
The next day solo on a very sustained technical climb on a complex mountain proved to be terrifying. I got to through the sustained climbing sections to the summit confidently but soon after that I was literally lost and climbing for my life to escape a maze of deep and steep canyons that I got trapped in. You'd think I could just turn back but getting there was extreme and I went deeper after seeing signs of passage, it only raised the stakes. . . I am here writing this so. . . Honestly, little of the life or death battle is covered in the video, I was a bit pre occupied for that part. . . but the whole area surrounding Rainbow Mountain was incredibly beautiful. They don't call it that for nothing, LOL.
Cheers my friends and have a great weekend! Karl
PS I think I will do the arc video but, I have a few arches to go before I'll have enough footage to do it justice. I need to get down to Moab for a few outside the National Parks there. I haven't yet due to the crowds. . . maybe a warm streak late next fall?